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Milton native John Toneili delivers a drive and then (inset) waits ta take a shot at the sec- ond annual Mayors Golf louroament for te ü5titd Way Friday at Granite Ridge. Photos by GRAHAM PAINE4 ~i7i -Tonelu pauses for a littie reflection during latest Milton homecoming By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion February 24, 2002 marked a banner day for North American bockey fans. il also made for some mixed emotions and good-naturcd ribbing in John Tonelli's New York bomestead. Witb loyalties lying on hotb sides of tbe border. tbe Milton native and four-lime Stanley Cup cbampion admits bis support swayed at imes during tbe Canada-U.S. Olympie gold-medal clasb in SaIt Lake City. Utah. But il wasn'i long before routing was reserved solely for the evenîually-tri- umpbani Canadians. "My wife's American and I live in New York, so i look a bit of leasing during tbe game as she sa\,,-me Icaning toward Canada. But il was ail in fun," quipped the former New York Islander Tbursday ater- noon during is latest bomecoming. wicb included an appearance in the second annual Mayor's Golf Toumament for the United Way Friday. Just two montbs later the ex-NHL greal was back in front nf the tube waîcing fel- low Milton native îumed Isiander Steve Webb pusb ibe Toronto Maple Leafs 10 the limit in a las-man-standing first-round war. "hI fet great, 'm a big fan of is (Webb)." said Tonelli. Wbile a mucb different type of player than Webb. Tondul says the 26-vear-oid agîtator bas a greal ssork ethie and tbaithlIe two are linked in ai least one respect. "Tbey used 10 say tbe same lbing about tne," Toneili said wiîb regard bo frequenîly documented prediclions that Webb wii neyer find a Iong-lerm home in the NHL. "But Webby's got one nf those big bearts that makes bim valuable." Long Island bantam îeams no doubt feei the same way about Tondui but more so for is coacbing skills. Despite a rather sbort-iived tenure bebind the bencb. the former Canada Cup player led clubs to îwo state champi- onships and one national tille in 1996. Recalled Tonelli, "It was very rewarding. With my background 1 had some informa- tion i could pass along and the kids are stili listening. It felt gond being able to relate my experiences to, tbem." However. bis brief coacbîng stînt was also met witb some distressing trips to bis native Canada -wbere intimidation and competition often weni band-in-band. "I was a little surprised by tbe lack of1 concentration ofthte skills and more empbasis k'ing placed on intimidation. Il was a littie disturbing ai times ibat players were more interested in beating down the other guy than iin putting tbe puck in tbe net." be said. adding ibat bcd hbate to make a broad generaliation about Canadian ninor hockesy. -Tbese kids bave dreamis ot' getttng to the big ceagnes. but that doesn't mean you have to beat the other guy up.- As for the NHL, Tondul saîd be's got no qualms wib today's players making the big bucks- stressing that professinnal bockey is an incredi bic grind- but ibat a happy medium must be found to avoîd beading in tbe same dangerous direction as Major League Basebail. "You bave 10 bave a situation wbere al tbree sides are satisfied - tbe players, the owners and especially tbe fans." f ( O'New in town? Get acquainted with Milton and ail it has to offer by ordermng a subscrip- tion to Zbt (tanatn Qtaffmpmon Where To Shop! Where To Dine! Community News! Professional Services! - j ....And more! Only $49.00 per year Phone 878-2341 or mail cheque or money order to P.O. Box 248, 191 Main St. E., Milton, Ont. L9T 4N9 Golfers needed for upcoming deaf hockey team tournament Miltons deaf hockey players are boping 10 defend tbeir world cbampionsbip next spring in Sweden. But fîrst tbey'll need a financial assist fron thIe cnm- munity, wbicb can support their upcoming excursion by signing up for the Canadian National Deaf Ice Hockey Team's cbarity golf toumament at Granite Ridge Golf Club September 26. This inaugural event is in mnemory of John Guirestante - a prominent member of the 1999 Canadian deaf hockey teamn, and former New Jersey Devil bopeful. wbo died of pneumonia last faîl. Walter Gretzky wiIl be the guest speaker aI the tour- nament, while also on band will be ex-NHL great Johnny Bower. The day wîll start wîtb a lunch and I p.m. sholgun start, followed by a dinner, silent auction and prize presentation. Proceeds frnm the event wilI go îoward the travel expenses for the national teani, wili wbicb include ai least îwo Miltonians - Cbad Broussard and Marc Couture. The duo were part of Canadas 1999 gold-medal victnry in Switzerland. A number of other local players wililbave one last shot ai making the teani a a final trynut in the faîl. Anynne wisbing 10, sigo up for the toumament or become a sponsor is asked 10 caîl organizer Norm Browncll ai (905) 878-0752, or e-mail him ai nbrownell@cogeco.ca. will be seeing new patients as of August 1, 2002 Please cali 905-878-6793 ta book an appointment Miltowne Medical 350 Main St. E. Fax your sports reports to Steve LeBlanc at (905) 878-4943. The Caniadian Champion, Tueaday, September 10, 2002 -23 Mini ready for test from HAYDAR on page 21 ThiouLh lie now stands on the thresboid of the NHL. any .îjditîonal pressure c onipaî cd 10 the uther big tests liec faced in recent memory. "Basically l'm going in witb the same attitude that 1 did in university. just 10 take it one step at a lime," stressed the 5'9", I 70-pounder. -i'm treating this season as a learning experience. l'm going to make baby steps and build for the future." While the Predators have their share of younger forwards at botb centre and night wing, Haydar feels he's got as good or better a chance of making the tearn as any other in the NHL. It's just a case of where 1 find a spot - being the right piece of the puzzle," said Haydar. *."Âï